A New York writer insulted the beloved figure deriding him as a "coward and gutless" for not taking a public stance on Roy Moore. The freelancer for the New York Daily News says Saban's silence on Moore was unacceptable.

"People are saying it's clickbait or whatever, but I mean what I said," said Chuck Modiano, who wrote the piece for the New York Daily News.

Nine women have accused Roy Moore of either inappropriate sexual advances or assault when they were in their teens and he was in his 30s. Modiano wrote "by remaining silent....Saban showed he does not care about the plight or protection of young women and girls."

"I believe Nick Saban is in a very unique position, almost incomparable to any other coach or athlete in the country," said Modiano. "He had a wonderful opportunity to exercise some of his power and influence and instead stayed silent, and I believe in these kinds of situations you break your silence."

Reaction to the piece in a state where Saban is revered by many was swift. Many calling it "clickbait" and unfair because Saban is a "football coach not a politician."

"People keep saying keep politics out of it, and preying on young women is not politics. When did that become liberal or conservative? So the very discussion of sports and politics is flawed at the outset," said Modiano. "There should be a higher standard for someone who is at a university and an even higher standard when you're getting $11 million a year."

No comment from the University of Alabama or Saban.

In our online poll most of you, 70% do not agree with this article, while 30% believe Saban should have a taken a stand